Abstract: The goal of this industrial PhD is to investigate how to include resilience into a cyber-security strategy to safeguard vital infrastructure. Critical infrastructure is increasingly susceptible since businesses are using technology more often. These infrastructures are also components of a vast, integrated, and increasing digital supply chain that transcends national boundaries, adding to the difficulties. A bigger attack surface where an attacker might use vulnerabilities contained in suppliers' and sub suppliers' chains could come from this extension of the digital supply chain. The study will add to our understanding of how to manage intricate supply chains in critical infrastructure with stringent dependability requirements. The digitalization processes in the supply chain include changes to the organizational structure, necessitating a robust strategy for continual improvement. The research question for this project is as follows: How can a resilience framework contribute to managing the complex digital supply chain for stakeholders in the power industry? The system dynamic (SD) approach will be used to generate a simulation based on the findings from each of the methods. Previous supply chain research has demonstrated that SD modelling is an effective strategy for building resilience in supply networks. To comprehend and examine the behavior of dynamic and complex systems, the notion of SD was established. The theory of system dynamics is based on the idea that actions done in systems will change the system, which will then lead to new actions. To collect primary data the qualitative method chosen as most suitable the semi-structured interview. To understand a social phenomenon, one needs to listen to people who reflect on their own experiences, knowledge, and motivation. Through interviews, it is possible to go into depth on the phenomenon and gather complex and rich data that is not available through literature review only. Contributions from this Ph.D. study are grouped into two categories: academia and organization. Further understanding regarding supply chain vulnerability and the implementation of potential techniques and ideas in novel contexts are academic contributions. The development of the resilience framework, which aims to address the difficult problem of managing stakeholders in the digital supply chain, is a contribution made by the organizations. The goal for CIs is to have resilient DSCs that can withstand and improve from high-pressure situations. Improving DSC resilience requires an understanding of the supply chain network that includes suppliers’ and their sub-suppliers’ incentives, all the way to its downstream customers’ incentives. By understanding the structure of the system, the ability to ascertain the behavior of the system increases, providing opportunities to better manage the system. If we can harness the positive incentives for collaboration and social connection the road to a more resilient CI that is available when the society require it becomes easier.

Abstract: While creating a community hazard mitigation plan (HMP) has become recognized as a key component of successful disaster management, significant portions of the process are often inaccessible to people with vision disabilities. Maps in particular are often large, visually dense documents that are printed on two-dimensional paper, or distributed via PDF with no alternate text. For people with profound low vision or who are blind, alternative media is required. The research discussed here proposes that tactile maps may present an accessible and cost-effective medium for representing geospatial data relevant to the hazard mitigation planning process. Using flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a starting point, this paper proposes an evaluatory framework for transcribing conventional maps into tactile documents, as well as characterizing users' experiences using them for mitigation planning, directions for future research and generalizing the process for applications in other domains.

Abstract: Technology undeniably plays an important role in supporting crisis managers to respond to crisis. However, when improperly designed or used, technology can be ineffective or even be detrimental to the crisis response. Therefore, in this paper we bring together insights from the scientific literature and identify 5 principles for the design and use of technology to aid crisis managers effectively. These principles might seem trivial but there are several examples of technology used in practice that show the opposite. To illustrate this, we use as a case study the Dutch nation-wide crisis management system LCMS which is used in the Netherlands by all safety regions and other public organizations to maintain and share a common operational picture supporting large-scale crisis management collaboration. We explain why crisis evaluations and research time and again show that LCMS has failed to add value for crisis managers during crisis by using the identified principles.

Abstract: In case of sudden and extreme life-threatening situation, the most efficient system fulfils the requirement of mobile phone emergency alerting information services. But how much information and what type of content must be used in a textual message, and how adapt this alert to a large audience and diversified contexts? This paper proposes to address this challenge, 1) by presenting results obtained in France during simulated “alerting days”, with sampling revealing the perception and understanding of SMS and CB by a non-specialized audience (161 respondents), and 2) by comparing findings obtained in different contexts (students and teaching staff in a university, crisis managers and stakeholders in an industrial context, citizens working near high-risky areas). Even if reactions to an alert are individual, similar patterns emerge, suggesting that standardized and non-random needs exist.

Abstract: Building construction and building layout represent two key critical pieces of information for a fire suppression operation. However, fireground incident commanders (FGCs) frequently do not have access to critical, updated information about a structure, including details that could potentially support more effective response. This gap in the information pipeline has led to significant injuries and fatalities for both civilians and first responders. Towards this end, this paper focuses on evaluating the efficacy of a user interface prototype for supporting decision-making during a simulated commercial structure fire. Sixty-four firefighters (n = 64) from North America participated in this study. Overall, there were no statistical differences in the performance of the firefighters between the two experimental conditions (2D vs. 3D). This study provides preliminary support for the use of 3D models in pre-incident planning practices. More importantly, this initial data serves as a baseline for the development of evidence-based standards for displaying pre-incident planning information to FGCs digitally.

Abstract: While a wide range of disaster apps are currently available, few address the topic of CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive) risks and threats. The proven value of disaster apps in emergency management and the unique ways in which citizens prepare for and respond to CBRNe incidents merit that such an app exist. However, disaster apps also have their limitations, namely uptake and accessibility. The PROACTIVE project is filling these gaps by co-creating together with vulnerable groups an accessible CBRNe disaster app. This article examines the results from four workshops held with the potential end-users recruited from vulnerable groups. Following the MoSCoW methodology, requirements were established and their relevance to the Universal Design principles discussed. For instance, it was found that the app Must have a less chaotic interface which would help meet the principle of simple and intuitive use. Lastly, the app redesign is showcased.

Abstract: Social media analytics provide a generalized picture of situational awareness from the conversations happening among communities present in social media channels that are that are, or risk being affected by crises. The generalized nature of results from these analytics leaves underrepresented communities in the background. When considering social media analytics, concerns, sentiment, and needs are perceived as homogenous. However, offline, the community is diverse, often segmented by age group, occupation, or language, to name a few. Through our analysis of interviews from professionals using social media as a source of information in public service organizations, we argue that practitioners might not be perceiving this segmentation from the social media conversation. In addition, practitioners who are aware of this limitation, agree that there is room for improvement and resort to alternative mechanisms to understand, reach, and provide services to these communities in need. Thus, we analyze current perceptions and activities around segmentation and provide suggestions that could inform the design of social media analytics tools that support inclusive public services for all, including persons with disabilities and from other disadvantaged groups.

Abstract: Digital technologies have become an integral enabler of communication during various phases of emergency management (EM). A crucial prerequisite of effective communication between authorities and the public during EM is the establishment of adequate mutual trust. Trust, however, is an elusive concept which is not easily translatable into technical settings. In this paper we propose an integrative model of trust in digital communication and show how such model can be advantageous in assessing and improving trust relations in context of EM. Our interdisciplinary model, which is based on findings from psychology, sociology and computer sciences provides an abstraction which not only seizes both subjective and objective as well as personal and non-personal, \eg institutional or cultural, aspects of trust but at the same time is concrete enough to be applicable to real-life scenarios.

Abstract: This paper takes on the challenge of designing situational awareness information systems that take into account not only the prevalence of so-called demons of situational awareness, but also situational disabilities that will typically occur in a disaster situation, both in the control room and in the field among the general public as well as first responders. It further outlines how a situational awareness information system process model can be adapted and used as a basis for designing situational awareness information support systems that address these issues with the help of Universal Design principles.

Abstract: Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by rising disaster risk, climate change, and environmental degradation due to their close relationship with the environment and its resources. Unfortunately, gathering the necessary information or evidence to request or co-share sufficient funds can be challenging for indigenous people and their lands. This paper aims to co-design an AI-based chatbot with two tribes and investigate their perception and experience of using it in disaster reporting practices. The study was conducted in two stages. Firstly, we interviewed experienced first-line emergency managers and invited tribal members to an in-person design workshop. Secondly, based on qualitative analysis, we identified three themes of emergency communication, documentation, and user experience. Our findings support that indigenous communities favored the proposed Emergency Reporter chatbot solution. We further discussed how the proposed chatbot could empower the tribes in disaster management, preserve sovereignty, and seek support from other agencies.